Rudbeckia
Native to North America, the flower of the month is Rudbeckia. It is also known as Coneflower or Black-Eyed Susan. The daisy like flower is a perennial or annual depending on the variety chosen. Rudbeckia likes full sun, is drought tolerant and should be started in early spring producing magnificent blooms in multiple shades from early summer to late fall.
Winter is not a time for “laying low” a blue print for next season can be created now! You can begin by choosing annual plants and flowers from a catalog, online or just re-plant your “favorites”. Choices will be based on several things including your zone, the condition of your soil, how much sun or shade your garden areas receive and what you grew in those same areas last season. Purchase a soil quality kit to determine what you might need to amend your soil and plan to rotate anything you planted last year to a new location next season. When rotated, plants in the same family will have fewer diseases. Choose and purchase quality seeds early as they sell quickly and may not be available if you wait until spring. When the time comes be sure you have proper supplies and have taken the steps to initiate seed growth. You may want to start seeds under a grow light, in a green house, in the ground or simply grow something in a sunny indoor window. Planning ahead is your key to success! Cheers
From ancient times human designs and décor using floral wreaths, arrangements and adornments have endured. Pods, cat tails, leaves and fall flowers can be utilized to make a special centerpiece and dry arrangements will last for months. Whether you choose something from your own garden or ask your local florist to create something, celebratory and everyday fall experiences will be enhanced.
Cheers
The most precious resource impacting our existence is water! Challenging ourselves to use less is crucial! Many years of drought in zone 4 led us to research more creative methods of watering our garden. A “drip irrigation” system pinpoints the exact area water is needed and uses a fraction of water used with a sprinkling system. Even watering plant roots by hand is preferred to a sprinkling system, the water is directed where it is needed and keeps water droplets off fragile blooms which can attract the hot Colorado sun.
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The first hard frost has taken place covering plants with an icy chill that brings them to their next life cycle.
Specific plants like geraniums or impatiens can be brought inside and continue blooming, the remaining plants can be added to your compost pile helping to create rich soil better known as “black gold” for next year. Forcing bulbs during the fall is a somewhat arduous task but if you decide to do it you will enjoy blooms during mid winter to early spring. Cheers
We enjoyed a remarkable spring and summer in zone 4. Late frost and hail storms subsided with gentler spring rains preparing the ground for planting. Dense snow pack melted slowly filling our rivers to overflowing. This precious resource filled our reservoirs, dampened our ground and allowed us to use less water this summer. Cooler temperatures and ample rain fall kept forest fires at bay.
Fall has been mild with temperatures in the high seventies! Tricksters will enjoy a balmy night to show off their costumes and gather treats. They are certain to enjoy the October decorations which include numerous flowers still blooming in our garden. Cheers
Affinity with Flowers
